The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1684 - 1678: Restraint

With Gu Changqing taking action, naturally, there was no failure.

In a few days, it was known throughout the Hanlin Academy that Gu Zikai was going to be assigned to Yunzhong County in Saibei as a County Magistrate.

Everyone was stunned.

Back then, Song Chongjin could still be argued for, due to the dynamics between the civil and military factions and the hidden currents in the Imperial Court, it counted as taking the fall for his father.

Moreover, he had just entered the Hanlin Academy then, not even a few days before he was sent off, from a Hanlin Reviewer to the master of a county, to the envy of many.

But for Gu Zikai, in the past four or five years, he had thrived in the Hanlin Academy, was highly favored by the Emperor, and given his family background, he is now a legitimate Attendant Lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, Sixth Rank.

He was often summoned by the Emperor to lecture the Princes and draft edicts and decrees.

During palace banquets or large events, Gu Zikai would be summoned to accompany, composing poetry and opposite lines, showcasing sophistication and nobility.

In recent years, many of Gu Zikai’s poems circulated widely, and he gained considerable fame within the circle of talented men and noble women in the Capital City.

Many noble women of the Capital City copied Gu Zikai’s poems, reciting them day and night, with their hearts placed upon him.

Without surprise, with Gu Zikai’s current trajectory, if maintained for a few more years, he might become the youngest scholar at the Hanlin Academy.

His status is noble, with boundless prospects, and he has always been by the Emperor’s side, envied by many.

Why would he think about wanting to be assigned elsewhere?

It should be noted that he is originally Sixth Rank, opting to serve as a County Magistrate in a small county, essentially a Seventh Rank official, isn’t it a voluntary demotion?

Moreover, Yunzhong County is thousands of miles away, so far, even if there were accomplishments, reported layer by layer, what would be left?

How could it compare to having accomplishments seen by the Emperor’s eyes at his side?

If Gu Zikai’s family background were ordinary or difficult, lacking connections, struggling in the Capital City, wishing to be reassigned, at least life would be easier, that would make sense.

But what standing does the Gu Family have? Why would they care about these external things?

Thus, not only were Gu Zikai’s colleagues confused, even his friends were at a loss to understand.

A few friends gathered a table of dishes, invited Gu Zikai out, asking what had happened? Whether something was wrong?

In their hearts, they wondered whether something happened to the Gu Family or to Gu Zikai, intending to comfort him with a few words.

In the end, upon seeing Gu Zikai, he didn’t look like someone in trouble. Radiant as spring, any person could see he was in a good mood.

Indeed, after three rounds of drinks, Gu Zikai half-truthfully revealed, only saying that he had long been tired of the Capital City, had wanted to venture outside, but his parents forbade it.

Now there is some relaxation, coupled with recent pressure from his family to get married, but he has no desire to marry yet, truly impatient with his parents’ nagging, preferring to simply escape for a few years freely.

Additionally, being young means his parents and family are in good health, it’s precisely the time to go out and see something.

In a few years, as his parents age, when he has gained enough experience outside, returning to the Capital City to be filial won’t be delayed.

These words indeed managed to deceive most of them.

After all, Gu Zikai had expressed the desire to gain experience outside previously.

Moreover, as he said, currently Lord Gu is a mainstay of the court, with a father like him, what would a few years of assignment matter to Gu Zikai?

It wouldn’t hinder his future prospects, perhaps providing an additional qualification.

Unlike ordinary officials, truly reassigned outsiders struggle to return to the Capital City like ascending to heaven.

Regardless of how they felt in their hearts, whether envious, jealous, or otherwise.

On the surface, they all smiled heartily to congratulate him on fulfilling his wishes, wishing him a smooth journey without mentioning anything else.

As for the other old foxes on the Imperial Court, though Gu Changqing unexpectedly sending his youngest son a thousand miles away to serve as a County Magistrate puzzled them, they speculated at home about what the old fox Gu Changqing intended?

Was it that His Majesty made some move, causing Gu Changqing to realize he needed to send his youngest son away to avoid disaster? Leaving a way out for the Gu Family?

It’s no wonder they thought this way, after all, Yunzhong County is near Chicheng City.

Who’s the County Magistrate of Chicheng City? It’s Song Chongjin, Heir of Duke of Weiguo, Gu Changqing’s niece’s husband.

If something indeed happened within the Gu Family, sending its youngest there would mean someone to look after him, wouldn’t it?

Truly the old fox of the Gu Family!

Regarding what Gu Zikai said to his friends, the words soon reached these old foxes’ ears, but they didn’t take them seriously.

Concerning the Gu Family’s youngest son’s marriage, hadn’t it already been rumored that he was destined not to marry early? Moreover, why abandon a good position as Attendant Lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, refuse to be a favored figure before the Emperor, and go thousands of miles to eat dust? It’s not something a normal person would do.

Some who vaguely heard whispers couldn’t help but wonder.

Wouldn’t it be wise to send their children there to gain a bit of advantage and experience since even Gu Changqing sent his son?

For a moment, these old foxes in their hearts truly played out countless imperial drama plots.

During early court, when Gu Changqing first appeared, those with good relations exchanged a concerned glance.

Those with poor relations, gloatingly smiled at Gu Changqing.

Some had ulterior motives, subtly probing Gu Changqing, aiming to uncover his true agenda.

But who is Gu Changqing? Thinking they could extract information from him? Nothing but a few casual words, he shifted the topic.

When the court session began, those with poor relations made sarcastic trouble, but it was all easily deflected by Gu Changqing.

The Emperor even noticed the commotion, summoning Gu Changqing to the Imperial Study Room post-session, jokingly laughing, "Trying to let your son gain experience can lead to this, now everyone suspects you’ve lost my trust."

Gu Changqing, unfazed, stroked his beard: "Let them speculate, in a few months, they will surely jump and curse me as a crafty old fox using position for personal gain!"

The Emperor thought, indeed, once the old men learned the truth, they would wish to devour Gu Changqing alive.

After a brief humorous exchange between ruler and minister, naturally, they spoke about serious matters.

"The initiation of the trade route, although now managed by Song Chongjin, he is after all young, still requires a steady and experienced official to oversee," the Emperor first spoke.

Gu Changqing immediately understood, performing his salute, bowing: "Your Majesty speaks rightly. Though they are young, youth is advantageous with courage and drive, yet given its significance, a prudent older person should restrain them, preventing them from acting recklessly, accomplishing wrongdoing with good intentions!"